Introduction

Abstract

Some of the issues raised by the antiquities trade were discussed in June 2003 at two sessions convened at the Fifth World Archaeological Congress (WAC) in Washington, D.C. Most of the contributions to this book are expanded versions of papers first presented there, although Chapters 4 and 10 were specially commissioned, and Chapter 1 was first presented in February 2004 at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Hague Convention. This chapter describes archaeological heritage, the antiquities market, art, the art collector, and the art museum. An overview of the chapters included in this book is also provided. The antiquities trade has transformed monetary, aesthetic, legal, personal, and social values in the world. The causes and consequences of these transformations form the subject matter of this book. The chapters that follow this chapter explore the different aspects and components of the antiquities trade and its regulation and consider the roles played by collectors and museums in perpetuating it.